ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine and compare the mean dentoalveolar heights [mm] in different vertical and sagittal facial patterns
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Orthodontics Clinic, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from September to November 2013
Methodology: Subjects, aged 15 - 20 years, having fully erupted first permanent molars and central incisors were included in the study from orthodontic records. The pretreatment cephalographs of subjects were traced manually over an illuminator. The various parameters like angles and dentoalveolar heights were measured and recorded on data collection form. Mean value +/- SD for the variables were generated. ANOVA was used to compare the means of dentoalveolar heights among the vertical and sagittal facial patterns. Post Hoc Bonferroni test was applied to show difference among the three vertical and three sagittal facial patterns. P-value equal to or less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant
Results: The mean age of subjects was 15.8 +/-3.2 years in vertical group and 16.3 +/-2.9 years in sagittal group. There was statistically significant difference [p=0.008] for the upper anterior dentoalveolar height [UADH] among vertical groups, with statistically significant difference for UADH between hyperdivergent and normodivergent [p=0.04] and hyperdivergent and hypodivergent [p=0.01] facial patterns
Conclusion: The UADH were significantly greater in the hyperdivergent group as compared to both the normodivergent and hypodivergent groups. The sagittal groups showed no statistically significant difference for dentoalveolar heights
ABSTRACT
To establish cephalometric norms of a sample of aesthetically pleasing Pakistani faces and to analyze differences and similarities with accepted standards for Caucasians. Analytical cross sectional study. Carried out at Alvi Dental Hospital, Karachi, from August 2007 to February 2008. Cephalometric tracings were analyzed on a sample of 40 [20 males and 20 females] Pakistani young adults, aged 18-25 years, with full complement of permanent teeth, no previous orthodontic treatment and pleasing profile. To check the reliability of the measurements, 20 randomly selected cephalograms were retraced. None of the measurements showed a significant difference. Student's 't' test was applied for overall group comparisons. P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. When compared with some classical standards, the results suggest that the Pakistani sample had greater cranial lengths [p < 0.001], shorter faces anteriorly [p < 0.001], and tended towards bimaxillary dental protrusion with more prominent chin [p < 0.001]. Males had greater antero-posterior, horizontal and vertical measurements [p < 0.001]. Females showed more dental protrusion [p < 0.01]. Comparisons revealed statistically significant differences in most variables between Pakistanis and Caucasians and between Pakistani males and females. Pakistanis have distinct cephalometric features, which should be used as a reference in treating Pakistani orthodontic and orthognathic surgery patients